Starbucks in Australia

Just a few semi-unrelated notes for those of you who love Starbucks as much as I do:

• Starbucks here have meat pies and sausage rolls and salmon wraps and cheesecake (multiple kinds)...and when looked at altogether, their food selections here are definitely more international. It makes sense, yes, but it's still something to report about, as the drinks, music, and every other product they sell is exactly the same as in American stores. Well, except for:

• Interesting fact: Australia's iced venti cups are smaller than American iced venti cups (20 oz to the US's 24 oz). After discovering that, I just about burst into the American national anthem out of patriotic pride.

• For those of you who may not know, I could be considered a chai tea addict in something like 49 states and 10 countries. BUT you will be happy to know that due to budgetary concerns, I have cut back and have averaged about 1.5 Starbucks chai's per week since I arrived! I'm so proud, I feel like treating myself to a chai in celebration! Oh, wait. Defeats. Purpose.

• You know how there is typically at least one Starbucks, if not more, within every square mile in Gilbert/Mesa? Well, I was a little worried that I would go through withdrawal until I saw first a map of Starbucks and then witnessed for myself that they are everywhere, at least in the CBD (central business district). There is even one in Bondi Junction! Even if I am trying to stick to a budget, the mere fact that they are for the moment accessible is like a built in "Melanie security blanket".

• And finally... In recent news, Starbucks announced that it is closing 61 of its 85 locations in Australia. Which happens to interfere with not only my chai security blanket, but my hopes of working for them as well. Ah, well. I guess when they told me they weren't hiring, it wasn't because of my uncool accent after all.

And that wraps up your Starbucks lesson for the day! Happy chai's to you!